©2012 Edelbrock LLC.
Performer RPM 454 Oval Port
Brochure # 63-0064
Rev. 12/20/12 - QT/mc
Page 1 of 2
Performer RPM Aluminum Cylinder Heads
for Big-block Chevrolet V8s
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Please study these instructions carefully before installing your new cylinder heads. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact our Technical
Hotline at: (800) 416-8628 from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, Pacific Standard Time.
DESCRIPTION
The Edelbrock Performer RPM Street Cylinder Head is designed for street high performance use, and is interchangeable with any early-style (1965-
75) large oval port big-block Chevrolet cylinder head. This new cylinder head offers “out of the box” bolt-on performance with no additional porting
required. The performance range is 1500-6500 rpm for great throttle response throughout the power band as well as top-end horsepower. The
intake and exhaust ports are CNC machine “matched” and have been designed for maximum flow velocity when matched with our Performer RPM
intake manifold #7161 (for square-bore carbs) or #7164 (for spread-bore carbs), Performer RPM cam kit #7162, and Performer Series square-bore
carburetors or Performer RPM Q-Jet carburetors as seen in our catalog or website. This Performer RPM Power Package produced 540 horsepower
in dyno tests on a 454 c.i.d. Chevy with 9.5:1 compression on pump gasoline. A totally unique intake port design yields flow numbers traditionally
associated with high performance rectangular port heads, but with the smaller runner size and velocity of an oval port. NOTE: These head have no
exhaust crossover passages and will not work on any vehicle requiring EGR. This cylinder head is compatible with both early style Mark IV and late
model Mark V blocks.
#60429, 60449 and 60447 are bare cylinder heads which have valve guides and seats installed. These will require final sizing and valve jobs to match
the valves you will be using. #60447 is a NHRA Legal (Super Stock Only) version of the #60449 head.
Complete heads are complete cylinder heads assembled with the following components: Stainless steel, one-piece, swirl-polished intake and exhaust
valves with under-cut stems for increased flow; 2-ring positive oil control seals; 7/16” rocker studs and 3/8” guideplates; Edelbrock Sure-Seat Valve
Springs, retainers #9715, valve keepers #9615 and valve spring seats #5770. Complete cylinder heads are assembled and prepared for installation
right out of the box.
#604515 and 604519 are polished versions of 60455 and 60459.
ACCESSORIES: Although Edelbrock Street Cylinder Heads will accept
OEM components (rocker arms, valve covers, intake manifold, head bolts,
etc.), we highly recommend that premium quality hardware be used with
your new heads.
HEAD BOLTS or STUDS: Each head features four taller head bosses
so we have supplied four lengthened head bolts and washers with each
head. You may use OEM head bolts on all other positions as long as you
utilize hardened washers to prevent galling of the aluminum bolt bosses.
If you prefer to use new head bolts, we recommended Edelbrock’s Head
Bolt Kit #8551; it is a complete head bolt kit which also contains the
lengthened head bolts needed to accommodate the taller head bosses
that are unique to these cylinder heads. The lengthened head bolts
must be utilized in locations: 15, 8, 2, and 7 of each head, which are
represented in Figure 1.
NOTE: Head bolts may bottom out in blocks with blind bolt holes
(Bowtie, 502 Mark V, etc.). Check for clearance, and if necessary
shorten bolts or replace with a set specifically designed for use with
blind holes.
ROCKER ARMS: The valve springs supplied will accommodate valve
lifts up to .700”. Check the spring pressures required by your cam
manufacturer for your camshaft. This lift is much higher than stock
rocker arms will allow. Roller rocker arms will be required if your
camshaft has more than .500” lift. Stock rockers may require longer-
than-stock pushrods to clear the valve springs.
NOTE: A visual inspection of rocker arm to valve alignment is recommended.
In some cases, it maybe necessary to loosen the guide plate and adjust
the plate to get proper alignment. Make sure to re-torque the studs to
recommended torque listed below.
VALVE COVERS: Because most roller rocker adjusters are physically
larger than stock rockers, taller valve covers are usually required to clear
them. Use Edelbrock Signature Series chrome valve covers #4680 or Elite
Series polished aluminum valve covers #4280.
INTAKE MANIFOLD: Although stock intake manifolds will fit, the
Edelbrock Street Cylinder Heads are matched in size and operating range
with Edelbrock Performer RPM intake manifolds #7161 or #7164. If the
Performer RPM is too tall to fit under your hood (Corvettes, etc.), you
may use the Edelbrock Torker II 2-O manifold #5061. Additionally, any
manifold that matches Fel-Pro gasket #1212 may be used (Edelbrock
Performer, Torker, Victor Jr., Victor Ram, etc.). Oval port intake manifolds
may be used as-is, or port matched to the same configuration as the
cylinder heads for optimum performance.
EXHAUST HEADERS: Any header or manifold designed for original
equipment heads will fit the Edelbrock Street Cylinder Heads. Exhaust
ports are CNC profiled to match Fel-Pro #1411 exhaust gaskets which
are recommended for this application.
These Performer RPM Heads are Not legal for sale or use on pollution-controlled motor vehicles.
Bare Heads
60429 - 100cc
60447 - NHRA Legal - Super Stock
60449 - 110cc
Complete Heads - Flat Tappet Cam
60439 - 100cc
60459 - 110cc
604519 - 110cc Polished
Complete Heads - Hydraulic Roller Cam
60435 - 100cc
60455 - 110cc
604515 - 110cc Polished
©2012 Edelbrock LLC.
Performer RPM 454 Oval Port
Brochure # 63-0064
Rev. 12/20/12 - QT/mc
Page 2 of 2
SPARK PLUGS: Use 14mm x 3/4” reach gasketed spark plugs. Heat
range will vary by application and may range from Champion N-9Y to
N-14Y (or equivalent). If required for header clearance, use Champion
RC-12YC or equivalent which are 1/4” shorter than “N” series plugs. Use
anti-seize on the plug threads to prevent galling in the cylinder
head, and torque to 10 ft./lbs. Do not overtighten spark plugs!
INSTALLATION: Installation is the same as for original equipment
cylinder heads. Consult service manual for specific procedures, if
necessary. For 454 and smaller Mark IV engines, use Edelbrock head
gasket #7302, Fel-Pro head gasket #1017-1, or equivalent. For 454
Mark V engines, use Fel-Pro head gasket #1037 or equivalent. For 502
c.i.d. Mark V engines, use Fel-Pro head gasket #1047 or equivalent.
SPECIFICATIONS
Head Bolt Torque: .................................................................................. 65 ft./lbs. (short bolts; #11, #5, #4, and #10),
.............................................................................................................. 75 ft./lbs. long bolts; all others
Rocker Stud Torque: .............................................................................. 45 ft./lbs.
Combustion Chamber Volume: ............................................................. 110 cc (60447, 60449, 60455, 60459, 604515, 604519)
.............................................................................................................. 100 cc (60429, 60435, 60439)
Deck Thickness: ..................................................................................... 9/16”
Valve Seats: ............................................................................................ Hardened, interlocking, compatible with unleaded fuels
Valve Size: .............................................................................................. Intake- 2.19”, Exhaust- 1.88”
Valve Stem Diameter: ............................................................................ 11/32”
Valve Spring Diameter: ......................................................................... 1.54”
Valve Spring Installed Height: ............................................................ 1.975”
Valve Spring Seat Pressure: ................................................................135 lbs. (Flat Tappet) / 175 lbs. (Hydraulic Roller Cam)
Replacement Valve Springs: ................................................................ Flat Tappet Cam - 5745
.............................................................................................................. Hydraulic Roller Cam - 5823
Max. Valve Lift: ..................................................................................... .0.700” - Check spring pressures per cam manufacturer.
Bolt Boss Height
A = 3.38”
B = 2.88”
C = 4.44”
D = 1.38”
Figure 1
Edelbrock LLC • 2700 California St. • Torrance, CA 90503
Tech Line: (800) 416-8628 • Tech Fax: (310) 972-2730
NOTE: For 454 and smaller Mark IV engines, Edelbrock Cylinder Head
Gasket Set #7363 may be used. The set contains all gaskets necessary
to install these cylinder heads onto a Mark IV engine, including intake,
exhaust, cylinder head, distributor, water neck, and valve cover
gaskets.
Be sure that the surface of the block and the surface of the head is
thoroughly cleaned to remove any oily film before installation. Use
alcohol or lacquer thinner on a lint-free rag to clean. Apply liquid teflon
or suitable thread sealer to head bolt threads. Torque short bolts to 65
ft./lbs. and long ones to 75 ft./lbs. in three steps following the factory
tightening sequence (see Figure 1). A re-torque is recommended after
initial start-up and cool-down (allow 2-3 hours for adequate cooling).
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